TEJON RANCH, Calif., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tejon Ranch Co., or the Company, (NYSE:TRC), a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company, today announced financial results for the three-months ended March 31, 2024. "During the first quarter of 2024, the Company continued its strategic focus on unlocking the value of our unique land assets, including commencement of construction of our first residential community, Terra Vista at Tejon, a new multi-family apartment community located immediately adjacent to the Outlets at Tejon. The community will have 228 residences in the first phase with the first units expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025. This development marks the Company's evolution as a real estate development company by adding residential communities on the Ranch, adding to the vibrancy of the Ranch, and providing much-needed new housing for the region," said Gregory S. Bielli, President, and CEO of Tejon Ranch Co. "We are also continuing our aggressive fight for our Centennial at Tejon master planned community. While pushing strongly on the litigation front, we have initiated our efforts in Los Angeles County to enhance our existing project approvals by advertising our notice of preparation for a soon-to-be released Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR)," continued Bielli. Commercial/Industrial Real Estate Highlights TRCC industrial portfolio, through the Company's joint venture partnerships, consists of 2.8 million square feet of gross leasable area (GLA), and is 100% leased. In total, TRCC comprises 7.1 million square feet of GLA. TRCC commercial portfolio, wholly owned and through joint venture partnerships, comprises 620,907 square feet of GLA and is 95% leased. Construction started in February 2024 on Phase 1 of Terra Vista at Tejon, the Company's multi-family residential development adjacent to the Outlets at Tejon. Phase 1 includes 228 of the planned 495 residential units, with the first units becoming available in the first half of 2025 and the remaining units in this phase coming online soon thereafter. See www.tejonranchliving.com for further information. Construction of a new distribution facility for Nestlé USA is underway on the east side of TRCC, which will total more than 700,000 square feet. Signed a lease with a manufacturer and distributor of industrial components for 240,000 square feet of space that was previously occupied by Sunrise Brands, an apparel company. Sunrise relocated to the new 446,400 square foot building in January 2024. Outlets at Tejon is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024, with occupancy over 90% as of March 31, 2024. We continue to attract new tenants, with America sportswear company Under Armour moving in during the third quarter of 2023. First Quarter 2024 Financial Results GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter of 2024 was $0.9 million, or net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted, of $0.03. For the first quarter of 2023, the Company had net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.8 million, or net income per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted, of $0.07. The primary driver of this decrease resulted from the Company's mineral resources segment, in which operating profit declined $2.5 million over the comparative period, mainly due to lower water sales revenue resulting from heavy rainfall in California. Additionally, expenses in resort/residential segment increased by $1.2 million due to higher professional service fees incurred during this period. Partially offsetting this decrease was $0.9 million of tax benefits recorded during this quarter compared to $1.0 million of tax provisions recorded over the comparative period. Revenues and other income, including equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, for the first quarter of 2024 were $9.5 million, compared with $14.6 million for the first quarter of 2023. The primary driver of this decrease was the mineral resources segment, whose revenue declined $4.4 million over the comparative period due to lower water sales revenue realized during the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $2.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $6.4 million for the same period in 2023. Tejon Ranch Co. provides Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, because management believes it offers additional information for monitoring the Company's cash flow performance. A table providing a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most comparable GAAP measure, as well as an explanation of, and important disclosures about, this non-GAAP measure, is included in the tables at the end of this press release. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of March 31, 2024, total market capitalization, including pro rata share (PRS) of unconsolidated joint venture debt, was approximately $574.7 million, consisting of an equity market capitalization of $412.9 million and $161.8 million of debt, and our debt to total market capitalization was 28%. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and securities totaling approximately $60.7 million and $108.6 million available on its line of credit, for total liquidity of $169.3 million. The ratio of net debt, including PRS of unconsolidated joint venture debt, of $101.1 million, to trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA of $17.1 million was 5.9x. 2024 Outlook:The Company will continue to strategically pursue commercial/industrial development, multi-family development, leasing, sales, and investment within TRCC and its joint ventures. The Company also will continue to invest in to advance its residential projects, including Mountain Village at Tejon Ranch, Centennial at Tejon Ranch and Grapevine at Tejon Ranch. California is one of the most highly regulated states in which to engage in real estate development and, as such, natural delays, including those resulting from litigation, can be reasonably anticipated. Accordingly, throughout the next few years, the Company expects net income to fluctuate from year-to-year based on the above-mentioned activity, along with commodity prices, production within its farming and mineral resources segments, and the timing of land sales and leasing of land within its industrial developments. Water sales opportunities each year are impacted by the total precipitation and snowpack runoff in Northern California from winter storms, as well as State Water Project, or SWP, allocations. The current SWP allocation is at 40% of contract amounts, with the expectation that the allocation may increase. The Company's farming operations in 2024 continue to be impacted by higher costs of production such as fuel costs, fertilizer costs, pest control costs, and labor costs. The Company is anticipating higher 2024 almond industry crop production, which may have an adverse effect on 2024 selling prices. About Tejon Ranch Co.Tejon Ranch Co. (NYSE:TRC) is a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company, whose principal asset is its 270,000-acre land holding located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Bakersfield. More information about Tejon Ranch Co. can be found on the Company's website at www.tejonranch.com. Forward Looking Statements:The statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements based on economic forecasts, strategic plans and other factors, which by their nature involve risk and uncertainties. In particular, among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: business conditions and the general economy, future commodity prices and yields, external market forces, the ability to obtain various governmental entitlements and permits, interest rates, and other risks inherent in real estate and agriculture businesses. For further information on factors that could affect the Company, the reader should refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Financial tables follow) TEJON RANCH CO. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands, except per share data)   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   (unaudited)     ASSETS       Current Assets:       Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,552     $ 31,907   Marketable securities - available-for-sale   25,119       32,556   Accounts receivable   3,694       8,352   Inventories   5,821       3,493   Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,477       3,502   Total current assets   74,663       79,810   Real estate and improvements - held for lease, net   16,559       16,609   Real estate development (includes $121,133 at March 31, 2024 and $119,788 at December 31, 2023, attributable to CFL, Note 14)   342,198       337,257   Property and equipment, net   55,172       53,985   Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures   30,075       33,648   Net investment in water assets   58,023       52,130   Other assets   4,941       4,084   TOTAL ASSETS $ 581,631     $ 577,523           LIABILITIES AND EQUITY       Current Liabilities:       Trade accounts payable $ 9,752     $ 6,457   Accrued liabilities and other   3,186       3,214   Deferred income   2,421       1,891   Total current liabilities   15,359       11,562   Revolving line of credit   47,942